125 marks
How does Shakespeare make Cleopatra’s character both fascinating and complex?
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Antony and Cleopatra (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Literature): Exam Questions
Exam code: 0475 & 0992
2 hours4 questions
225 marks
Read this passage, and then answer the question that follows it.
CLEOPATRA If thou and nature can so gently part, The stroke of death is as a lover’s pinch, Which hurts and is desired. Dost thou lie still? If thus thou vanishest, thou tell’st the world It is not worth leave-taking. CHARMIAN Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain, that I may say The gods themselves do weep. CLEOPATRA This proves me base. If she first meet the curled Antony He’ll make demand of her, and spend that kiss Which is my heaven to have. She takes an aspic from the basket and puts it to her breast Come, thou mortal wretch, With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate Of life at once untie. Poor venomous fool, Be angry, and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak, That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass Unpolicied! CHARMIAN O eastern star! CLEOPATRA Peace, peace. Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep? CHARMIAN O, break! O, break! CLEOPATRA As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle. O Antony! She puts another aspic to her arm Nay, I will take thee too. What should I stay— She dies (from Act 5, Scene 2) |
How does Shakespeare make this such a powerful and memorable ending to the play?
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325 marks
Explore the ways in which Shakespeare vividly presents honour and reputation in Antony and Cleopatra.
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425 marks
Read this passage, and then answer the question that follows it:
CLEOPATRA I will be even with thee, doubt it not. ENOBARBUS But why, why, why? CLEOPATRA Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars, And sayst it is not fit. ENOBARBUS Well, is it, is it? CLEOPATRA Is’t not denounced against us? Why should not we Be there in person? ENOBARBUS ⌈aside⌉ Well, I could reply If we should serve with horse and mares together, The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear A soldier and his horse. CLEOPATRA What is’t you say? ENOBARBUS Your presence needs must puzzle Antony, Take from his heart, take from his brain, from’s time What should not then be spared. He is already Traduced for levity; and ’tis said in Rome That Photinus, an eunuch, and your maids Manage this war. CLEOPATRA Sink Rome, and their tongues rot That speak against us! A charge we bear i’th’ war, And as the president of my kingdom will Appear there for a man. Speak not against it. I will not stay behind. (from Act 3, Scene 7) |
In what ways does Shakespeare make this such a dramatic and important moment in the play?
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